Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Report examines local bus services in England, excluding London
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Transport (the Department) on local bus services in England outside London.1 This report excludes bus services in London, which has for many years had a different delivery and funding model from the rest of England.
Government Response Summary
The government will set out its approach to bus services in England outside London and the overall outcomes it seeks to achieve by the end of the current Parliament in the next few months. It will monitor outcomes at the local level through an outcomes framework, but will not set national quantitative targets.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. approach to, bus services in England outside London, and the overall outcomes the department seeks to achieve by the end of this Parliament, in the next few months. This will restate and build on Ministers’ aim, as set out to the Transport Select Committee and at industry events, that more people will take the bus because: • they have the connections they need; • services are more reliable and they trust that their bus will turn up on time; • buses are better integrated into the wider transport system and it’s easy to make a journey using different transport modes; • they are, and feel, safe – especially for women and girls; • bus services are faster – particularly in towns and cities; • they have accurate, accessible and easy to understand information when and where they need it; • buses, bus stops and bus stations are more accessible and inclusive; • tickets remain affordable; and • it is an increasingly climate and environmentally friendly choice. Buses are a public service delivered at the local level, with the actions needed to drive growth in patronage, and which of the above aspects to focus on, varying significantly between local transport authorities. That is why the department is devolving funding and powers to local transport authorities. Given this, and the wider move to greater devolution, the department does not think it would be appropriate to set quantitative targets for national outcomes, which would prejudge local choices and trade-offs. Instead, the department will be monitoring outcomes at the local level through an outcomes framework.